Post assembly

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for mounting rural mail boxes and like applications having a two part construction. It includes an anchor segment for driving into the ground and an adjustable above the ground support segment. The assembly features a uniquely contrived anchor device and a joint which permits the ready installation of the entire assembly and a quick and easy adjustment or readjustment of the attitude and relative positioning of the support segment.

[ 1 July 3, 1973 5/1921 Bearse.........................52/l55 5/1931 Ross......................285/414X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 145 Germany.....................52/155 ABSTRACT Apparatus for mounting rural mail boxes and like apg into the ground and an support segment. The asy contrived anchor device Pn'mary Examiner-William H. Schultz Attorney.lerome P. Bloom plications having a two part construction. It includes an anchor segment for drivin adjustable above the ground sembly features a uniquel and a joint which permits the ready installation of the entire assembly and a quic Don W. Selling, 1516 Gummer Avenue, Dayton, Ohio 45403 May 8, 1970 [51] Int. 11/12 .248/38, 42, 85, 86, 87, 88, 248/156,161, 179,181,371;52/155, 159; 285/184, 414, 415

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS United States Patent 1 Seiling POST ASSEMBLY [76] Inventor:

[22] Filed:

21 Appl.No.:35,81l

[58] FieldofSearch.........

k and easy adjustment or and relative positioning of readjustment of the attitude the support segment.

6 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures 8846X 3885 //l15 Soc/l5 445001 2284/ "22 nnnmj y" u e a m y; e l.

m mnw m ul KSDTF 62609 22054 99999 111.11 8387 I Patented July 3, 1973 3,743,226

42 FIG-9 "III-II INVENTOR DON W. SElLlNG ATTORNEY POST ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to post type supports and more particularly to an articulated post assembly comprised, in the main, of an anchor segment and a support segment.

It has special though not limited application for use in mounting rural mail boxes and will be so described by way of illustration.

In mounting a rural mail box along a roadway, there are certain requirements of attitude and height. This imposes the further requirement that the mount be secure. The use of prior art post supports for rural mail boxes leaves much to be desired. In the first place it is normally a time consuming and difficult job to install a mail box or like support post of the type previously available. It is even more difficult to achieve the desired attitude and height of the supported unit. Further problems result from the fact that vibration from traffic moving over the adjacent roadway influences ground shift over and above the natural ground shift which occurs over a period of time. This creates a continuing change in the post attitude and effects a decrease in the security of the post mount. Apart from this, the mail box support is often the target of impact by reason of careless driving and the experience has been that the prior art post support usually must be replaced or reinstalled once this has occurred.

The present invention obviates the above problems.

A DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a uniquely contrived post assembly. It features an anchor segment incorporating means which facilitates its installation and implements the natural security of its below ground position. It is further distinguished by a protected above ground joint by means of which a support segment may be locked in place or easily and quickly released to be positioned or re-positioned to achieve a selected attitude or height in reference to a ground surface. The invention construction is designed to produce in the post assembly a high impact resistance while permitting, nevertheless, that the support segment be made lightweight and fabricated in a relatively inexpensive fashion.

A primary object of the invention is to provide an improved post assembly which is economical to fabricate, more efficient and satisfactory in use, and adaptable to a wide variety of applications.

A further object of the invention is to provide a highly improved post unit for mounting of rural mail boxes and like articles having certain requirements as to their installed altitude and height.

Another object of the invention is to provide a post assembly so designed to provide an easy and secure anchor thereof in a ground surface.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a post support having a high impact resistance and a capability and ease of adjustment as to its attitude and height in reference to a ground surface.

A further object of the invention is to provide articulated post means including a ground driven segment and an upstanding support segment, the latter having an independent adjustment capability whereby its height and alignment may be determined independently of the attitude and extent of ground penetration of the anchor member and which may incorporate adequate rigidity with a break away or collapsing feature in the event of being struck by a moving vehicle.

Still another object of the invention is to provide post means for mounting a mail box or the like constructed of a plurality of readily assembled parts, which parts may conveniently be grouped in a small, compact package for ease of shipment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a post assembly possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the means and mode of use herein described.

Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein is shown one but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a view in longitudinal section, and partly diagrammatic, showing a post assembly in accordance with an illustrated embodiment of the invention adapted for use in mounting rural mail boxes and for like applications;

FIG. 2 is a view of the anchor segment in cross section, taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in cross section, taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view in cross section, taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view in cross section, along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view in cross section, taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, detail view, taken substantially along the line 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the post means, taken substantially along the line 8-8 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side view of the support segment, showing a supplemental bracket mounted thereon; and

FIG. 10 is a view in cross section, taken substantially along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, a post assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises main parts or segments consisting of an anchor segment 10 and a support segment 11. The segments are interconnected by a joint means 12. The latter provide for the relative adjustment of the segments which in themselves are assemblies, as will hereinafter more clearly appear.

The anchor segment 10 comprises a stake 13 made of a heavy damage resistant material such as steel. A lower end of stake 13 (not shown) may be pointed to facilitate earth penetration. The opposite or upper end of the stake 13 is formed with a broadened flange portion 14, providing a substantial end face thereon to accommodate hammering of the stake into the ground. The stake 13 is preferably of tube form, providing it with a through bore 15. The latter serves as a passage for directing fluid to and through the anchor point of the stake whereby to soften surrounding earth and enable easier and faster penetration. Further included as a part of the anchor segment is an elongate U-shaped stabilizer plate 16 which in its bight portion closely nests the stake 13. In an oppositely encircling relation to taken substantially stake 13, having its legs projecting in a direction opposite to those of plate 16, is a U-shaped bolt 17. In the leg portions of the plate 16 are opposed slots 23 which position adjacent and to the side of the stake opposite its bight portion, through which slots the legs of bolt 17 extend so that plate 16 and the bolt 17 may dispose substantially in a common transverse plane which is perpendicular to the axis of stake 13. A plate-like cross member 18 has a pair of apertures which enable it to fit over the projected legs of bolt 17. Applied to the projected end of each leg of the bolt 17 is a spacer l9 and a nut 21 which is threaded thereon. On adjusting the nuts 21, the spacers 19 are forced against the cross member 18 to clamp it firmly against the bight of plate 16. Simultaneously, the nuts 21 exert a reactive: force on the bolt 17 in the opposite direction. This causes a fum fixing of the bolt 17 as well as the stabilizer plate 16 in a desired frame of reference perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of stake 13. It is to be noted that the cross member 18 is elongated in a sense at right angles to the stake 13 and the direction of the projected legs of the stabilizer plate 16. Also, an upper longitudinal edge of the cross member 18, as shown in FIG. 1, is turned over to define a flange 22. This last provides added strength to the cross member and affords other advantageous stabilizing characteristics, obvious from the following.

The support segment 11 includes a cylindrical shaped tubular member 24 which, since it is not required to sustain hammering or like stresses of installation, may be made of a sheet metal or other light weight material. As seen in FIG. 1, near a lower end thereof the cylinder 24 is deformed inwardly to define thereon an internal, circumferential bead 25. A similar bead 26 is formed in the cylinder 24, near its opposite or upper end.

As shown in FIG. 1 in their assembled relation, a pair of discs 27 and 28 are located within the lower end of cylinder 24 to limit and bear against respectively opposite sides of bead 25. The discs 27 and 28 have formed therein a series of aligned openings which are rectangularly arranged. Through these openings are extended a series of threaded bolts 29 the heads of which bear on the upper surface of disc 27. The bolts 29 project through the discs and beneath the disc 28 are threadedly engaged by nuts 31. The latter serve, when tightened against the disc 28, to confine the discs 27 and 28 in a fixed, opposed, generally parallel relation, respectively bearing against opposite sides of the internal bead 25. Thus disposed, there is a disc assembly mounted within the lower end of cylinder 24.

The bolts 29 have elongated shanks which extend appreciably beyond the nuts 31. The extended portions thereof receive thereon nuts 32 and extend, beyond nuts 32, through openings 33 in mating sections of a split collar 34 which closely surround the stake 13 near the upper flanged end 14 thereof. Beyond openings 33, the bolts 29 have threaded thereon the nuts 35. As shown in FIG. 7, the half sections of collar 34 have at their remote extremities opposed dependent flange portions 36 in the lower ends of which are aligned grooves 37. A tie bolt 38 is applied in each pair of opposing grooves 37 and is adjustable to apply a clamping pressure on the opposed flange portions 36 whereby to fix the collar segments in a set position on the stake 13.

Looking again to FIG. 1, cooperating with and bearing on the underside of the upper internal bead 26 is a disc 39 having through rectangularly positioned openings 41. Extending across and resting upon the upper end of cylinder 24 adjacent and above the bead 26 is a rectangular plate 42. Bolts 43 extend downwardly through plate 42 to project within tube 24, and through openings 41 in the disc 39. The heads of bolts 43 abut the upper surface of plate 42 while captive nuts 44 fixed to disc 39 about the openings 41 have threaded therethrough the downwardly projecting ends of the bolts. A rotation of their heads turns their bodies within and relative to the nuts 44. This will clamp the disc 39 to the bead 26. At the same time, plate 42 is clamped in a fixed relation to the upper end of the tubular cylinder 24.

Plate 42 is elongated in a direction at right angles to tube 24. Fixed transversely and respectively near each of the opposite ends of plate 42 are a pair of parallel arranged brackets 45 and 46. In their mid portions, the brackets 45 and 46 each have an elongated slot, 47 and 48 respectively, which also extends in a sense transversely of the plate 42. Extending through plate 42 at its transverse center is a screw 49 which extends through the slot 47 and has applied thereto a nut 51. As is obvious, means are here provided to fix the bracket in a selected position of transverse adjustment relative to the plate 42. Corresponding parts in the form of a bolt 52 and nut 53 perform a similar function in connection with the opposed end of plate 42 and the bracket 46. In the plate 42 are other openings 54 selectively usable to apply bolts 43 to vary the relative positions of the plate and of brackets 45 and 46, as may be required for particular support functions.

As shown in the application described, the plate and connected brackets form a base for seating thereon an overlying mail box 55 or like device. At their ends the brackets 45 and 46 are turned upward to nest with parallel dependent flanges found on the sides of the conventional rural mail box. Fastening means 56 and 57 are conventionally applied through the upturned ends of the brackets so that the supported device may be firmly secured to its underlying base.

As shown in FIG. 9, an auxiliary mounting strap-like bracket 58 is applied to the assembly including tube 24 and plate 42. As seen in FIG. 9 bracket 58 is L-shaped and as shown includes an elongate leg portion which extends downwardly and externally of the cylinder 24 to have its lower end fastened thereto by means including a bolt 61 and a nut 62, seen in FIG. 10. A surface conforming reinforcement member 63 is applied to the inner wall of cylinder 24 to receive therethrough the bolt 61 and acts to sustain stresses exerted by the clamping force applied through bolt 61. One leg of the bracket 58 accordingly disposes in connected relation to one side of the cylinder 24 and the other short right angled portion normally disposes in overlapping relation to one edge of plate 42. The bracket 58 is a spring form which can be used to retain newspapers or magazines, for example, to the post exterior.

The parts of the post assembly are designed to have a separable relationship to one another. When separated the parts may be packaged and contained within the cylinder 24. Their nature is such the user can quickly and easily perform the necessary assembly operation as he proceeds with their installation.

In the assembly-installation process, the stake 13 is removed from the package and first driven into the ground only a part of its desired installation distance. No special care is required in this procedure. It is not necessary with the invention structure to achieve a straight driving of the stake. As in the illustrated instance, the stake may assume a non-vertical position relative to ground level G. Nor is it necessary to take care to avoid deforming of hammering face 14 the shape of which precludes ready deformation.

The outer stabilizing unit, including parts 16-19 is then attached to the stake 13 above ground level. Applied as previously described, the members 16 and 17 are interlooped to receive therebetween the body of the stake 13, the legs of member 17 projected through the apertures in stabilizer 18, and the spacers and nuts 21 applied to exert a clamping together of the parts in an obvious manner. Nuts 21 are first left somewhat loose so that the stake may move relatively to the stabilizing means a limited extent. The stake is then driven to its fully installed position in the ground. The stabilizing unit bears against ground surface in this process and serves a guiding function. In either or both the preliminary or final driving process liquid may be forced through the bore of the stake 13 for ground softening purposes. With the stake 13 in place, at its desired depth, and with an upper end thereof projecting above ground level, the stabilizing unit is then separately driven into the ground, substantially to a position as illustrated in FIG. 1. Ground is cleared, temporarily, to provide access to the nuts 21 at the installed position of the stabilizing unit so the nuts 21 may be then tightened. The stabilizing unit is thus set at right angles to stake 13 under the ground, which is built up thereover, and locked in place. At this point the anchor segment of the post assembly is securely installed and the stake thereof is stabilized to strongly resist displacement. Of course the upper end of the stake means, as shown, is slightly exposed to present a low lying profile over ground level.

To assemble and install the support segment 11, cylinder 24 is placed horizontal. Then disc 27 is inserted in the end adjacent the bead 26. The cylinder 24 has sufficient flexibility that it may be squeezed to enable passage of the disc past the bead and into the cylinder. It is noted that the bolts 29 may be applied to the disc 27 either prior to or after its insertion in the cylinder, while it is still positioned adjacent the bead 26. The cylinder 24 is then tilted and the disc 27 and the mounted bolts will drop until the peripheral portion of the disc 27 engages the innermost side of the bead 25. The disc 28 is then applied over the dependent ends of the bolts 29 to abut the side of bead opposite that engaged by the disc 27. Upon application and tightening of nuts 31, the discs 27 and 28 are clamped to the bead 25 to form a fixed part of the cylinder.

Either prior to or following the above operation, the mating halves of collar 34 are fixed to the upper projecting part of stake 13 at a location below flange 14. The halves of the collar are interconnected by the tie bolts 38 as previously described, the bolts being tightened to secure the collar in a relatively fixed position to the stake.

Returning now to the assembly of the support segment, the disc 39 with captive nuts 44 is inserted in the upper end of the tube 24. The tube is squeezed as previously described to enable the disc to readily pass the bead 26. Squeezing the tube 24 immediately inward of the disc 39, the disc is relatively held in place while there is applied over the relatively adjacent end of the tube the plate 42 having inserted therein the bolts 43. The plate 42 is positioned so the projected ends of bolts 43 are engaged or applied to the captive nuts 44. This having been accomplished, the heads of the bolts 43 are turned against the plate 42, in the process of which they screw into the captive nuts 44 and pull the disc 39 against the bead 26 and the plate 42 into a fixed relation across the upper end of the cylinder 24.

At this point, nuts 32 having been applied over the dependent ends of bolts 29, the bolts 29 are passed through openings 33 in collar 34. Locking nuts 35 are applied to the dependent ends of the bolts and may be turned up to draw down the support segment to the anchor segment, the collar 34 being clamped between the nuts 32 and 35.

As shown in FIG. 6, the openings 33 are oversize relative to the diameters of bolts 29 and in this instance are designed with an oval configuration. The arrangement allows the bolts 29 to pass freely through the openings 33 while maintaining an upright position together with the cylinder 24. This is possible irrespective of any differential angularity of the stake l3 and collar 14 thereon. Thus, the cylinder 24 may be perpendicular to ground surface while the stake 13 is angularly related thereto. Note that the enlargement of the openings 33 is what permits a relative adjustment of the cylinder 24 in respect to the collar 34 and stake 13 and when the cylinder 24 is at a desired angularity in reference to the stake 13, one can then, having previously loosened the nuts 35, apply the nuts so as to fix the relation of the cylinder 24 to the collar, at a selected angle, believed obvious.

The mail box 55 may be then applied to the plate 34 to seat thereon and be fixed thereto in a manner clearly evident from the structure before described.

Advantageous features of the invention are believed obvious and have been discussed above with reference to the described structure and the nature of its assembly and use. At this point it is emphasized that the simple manner in which the support segment may be properly positioned or, if displaced, re-positioned is of considerable significance in the field of the invention. It is self-evident that simple manipulations of the nuts 35 is essentially all that is required to achieve a desired result. It should be further noted that the anchor segment is of such a construction that its position is relatively firmly fixed and therefore relatively resistant to ready displacement, irrespective of the contributing factors.

It is of particular significance that the anchor segment has a low lying profile as to its projected portion to which the support segment connects. This dictates that if there is an accident which does damage or displace the support segment that there is little likelihood that the anchor segment will be damaged. The fact that the support segment is light-weight, together with the fact that there is a defined joint, will make the support segment, in such case, displace in a manner so as to minimize the damage to it also.

Reference is now made to the capability of height adjustment of the post means. This is of course determined in part by the distance to which the stake is initially driven into the ground but more particularly by the vertical location along the stake at which the collar 34 is secured. Should it be desired to change the height of the post assembly, the bolts 38 on collar 34 are loosened and the collar may be re-adjusted along the stake and clamped at the desired position which will achieve the desired vertical extent of the support segment when applied to the collar.

Thus, the support segment forms a positionable and repositionable post element fabricated of inexpensive lightweight materials and one which may be held to a securely anchored base without brazing, welding, the use of close tolerances in structure, or reliance upon friction to withstand bending and like stresses.

Attention is directed to the fact the post assembly may include a cylindrical cover member 64 which is slipped to dispose in a concentric surrounding relation to cylinder 24 to rest at its lower end on ground surface. By use of this cover member the joint means 12 is protected from the weather. The cover, however, can be readily raised for access to the joint means for any adjustment deemed necessary.

While a particular installation procedure has been above described, the installation process can be varied in manner and sequence as suits the installer.

For convenience and assistance in installation procedures, it is contemplated that the peripheries of the disc elements may be serrated to have, when in place, a frictional resistance to rotational and longitudinal displacement with reference to the cylinder 24. It is noted that on the inner surfaces of the halves of collar 34 are hemi-cylindrical ridges 65 which are in circularly spaced relation about the stake 13 as the halves are applied. This produces, in the clamping of the collar, circularly spaced pressure points for a secure mount of the collar. The advantages are believed obvious.

While certain aspects of the illustrated structure have been emphasized and detailed, it should be readily evident that not only these but equivalent structures are within the comprehension of the invention.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the. character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An articulated post means for mounting a rural mail box or like apparatus, including an anchor segment adapted to be driven or otherwise mounted in the ground to varying depth and at various angles, a support segment terminating at an upper end in a support means to mount a mail box or the like, means for mounting said support segment to said anchor segment with freedom of relative motion enabling said support means to position at a proper height above ground level and parallel to ground level irrespective of the installed angle of said anchor segment, said anchor segment being a strong and relatively rigid stake adapted to penetrate the ground for a substantial part of its length to present a relatively low profile above ground to potentially colliding vehicles, said support segment disposing vertically above ground level and being constructed of a relatively light weight material sufiiciently rigid for its intended purpose but relatively easily collapsible if struck by a moving vehicle, said mounting means constituting a jointed connection between the lower end of said support segment and an upwardly projecting portion of said stake, said support segment being an elongated tubular member, said jointed connection attaching in one part to the lower end of said member and in other part to said stake and means interconnecting said parts providing for relatively tilting movement of said tubular member and for fixing said member in selected attitudes relative to said stake, said one part of said jointed connection comprising disc means fixed to said tubular member and said other part of said connection comprising a collar on said stake with said means interconnecting said parts comprising bolt means extending from said disc means to said collar, said collar having aperture means accommodating said bolt means and oversize relative thereto and being mounted to said stake or relative rotary and longitudinal adjustment thereon.

2. An articulated post means for mounting a rural mail box or like apparatus, including an anchor segment adapted to be driven or otherwise mounted in the ground to varying depth and at various angles, a support segment terminating at an upper end in a support means to mount a mail box or the like, means for mounting said support segment to said anchor segment with freedom of relative motion enabling said support means to position at a proper height above ground level and parallel to ground level irrespective of the installed angle of said anchor segment, said anchor segment being a strong and relatively rigid stake adapted to penetrate the ground for a substantial part of its length to present a relatively low profile above ground to potentially colliding vehicles, said support segment disposing vertically above ground level and being constructed of a relatively light weight material sufficiently rigid for its intended purpose but relatively easily collapsible if struck by a moving vehicle, said mounting means constituting a jointed connection between the lower end of said support segment and an upwardly projecting portion of said stake, said support segment being an elongated tubular member, said jointed connection attaching in one part to the lower end of said member and in other part to said stake and means interconnecting said parts providing for relatively tilting movement of said tubular member and for fixing said member in selected attitudes relative to said stake, said one part of said jointed connection comprising disc means fixed to said tubular member and said other part of said connection comprising a collar on said stake with said means interconnecting said parts comprising bolt means extending from said disc means to said collar, said collar having aperture means accommodating said bolt means and oversize relative thereto, and said bolt means comprising a plurality of bolts disposing in a substantially surrounding relation to said stake, said bolts being elongated substantially uniformly to engage said collar in varying tilted attitudes of said tubular member, the aperture means in said collar comprising a plurality of oval-shaped apertures facilitating relative angular displacement of said disc means and said collar in the presence of said interconnecting bolts.

3. An articulated post means for mounting a rural mail box or like apparatus, including an anchor segment adapted to be driven or otherwise mounted in the ground to varying depth and at various angles, a support segment terminating at an upper end in a support means to mount a mail box or the like, means for mounting said support segment to said anchor segment with freedom of relative motion enabling said support means to position at a proper height above ground level and parallel to ground level irrespective of the installed angle of said anchor segment, said anchor segment being a strong and relatively rigid stake adapted to penetrate the ground for a substantial part of its length to present a relatively low profile above ground to potentially colliding vehicles, said support segment disposing vertically above ground level and being constructed of a relatively light weight material sufficiently rigid for its intended purpose but relatively easily collapsible if struck by a moving vehicle, said mounting means constituting a jointed connection between the lower end of said support segment and an upwardly projecting portion of said stake, said support segment being an elongated tubular member, said jointed connection attaching in one part to the lower end of said member and in other part to said stake and means interconnecting said parts providing for relatively tilting movement of said tubular member and for fixing said member in selected attitudes relative to said stake, said one part of said jointed connection comprising disc means fixed to said tubular member and said other part of said connection comprising a collar on said stake with said means interconnecting said parts comprising bolt means extending from said disc means to said collar, said collar having aperture means accommodating said bolt means and oversize relative thereto and said tubular member being formed with an internal bead near its lower end, said disc means comprising a pair of discs seating to opposite ends of said bead, said bolt means passing through said discs and carrying nut means to clamp said discs to said bead, said bolt means extending through and beyond said nut means to said collar, said discs and bolt means forming an assembly movable in unison with said tubular member, the oversize aperture means in said collar accommodating relative tilting movement of said assembly.

4. An articulated post means according to claim 3, characterized by nut means on the ends of said bolt means loosened to allow tilting movement of said tubular member and tightened to fix said tubular member in a selected position of adjustment.

5. Articulated post means according to claim 3, characterized by a second internal bead near the upper end of said tubular member, said tubular member being reversible for alternative use of the beads therein for mountin of said assembly thereto.

iculated post means according to claim 5,

wherein said support means comprises a plate disposing over an uppermost end of said tubular member in a plane substantially perpendicular thereto, characterized by means reacting upon the internal head in the uppermost end of said tubular member to draw said support means to a seat on said tubular member. 

1. An articulated post means for mounting a rural mail box or like apparatus, including an anchor segment adapted to be driven or otherwise mounted in the ground to varying depth and at various angles, a support segment terminating at an upper end in a support means to mount a mail box or the like, means for mounting said support segment to said anchor segment with freedom of relative motion enabling said support means to position at a proper height above ground level and parallel to ground level irrespective of the installed angle of said anchor segment, said anchor segment being a strong and relatively rigid stake adapted to penetrate the ground for a substantial part of its length to present a relatively low profile above ground to potentially colliding vehicles, said support segment disposing vertically above ground level and being constructed of a relatively light weight material sufficiently rigid for its intended purpose but relatively easily collapsible if struck by a moving vehicle, said mounting means constituting a jointed connection between the lower end of said support segment and an upwardly projecting portion of said stake, said support segment being an elongated tubular member, said jointed connection attaching in one part to the lower end of said member and in other part to said stake and means interconnecting said parts providing for relatively tilting movement of said tubular member and for fixing said member in selected attitudes relative to said stake, said one part of said jointed connection comprising disc means fixed to said tubular member and said other part of said connection comprising a collar on said stake with said means interconnecting said parts comprising bolt means extending from said disc means to said collar, said collar having aperture means accommodating said bolt means and oversize relative thereto and being mounted to said stake or relative rotary and longitudinal adjustment thereon.
 2. An articulated post means for mounting a rural mail box or like apparatus, including an anchor segment adapted to be driven or otherwise mounted in the ground to varying depth and at various angles, a support segment terminating at an upper end in a support means to mount a mail box or the like, means for mounting said support segment to said anchor segment with freedom of relative motion enabling said support means to position at a proper height above ground level and parallel to ground level irrespective of the installed angle of said anchor segment, said anchor segment being a strong and relatively rigid stake adapted to penetrate the ground for a substantial part of its length to present a relatively low profile above ground to potentially colliding vehicles, said support segment disposing vertically above ground level and being constructed of a relatively light weight material sufficiently rigid for its intended purpose but relatively easily collapsible if struck by a moving vehicle, said mounting means constituting a jointed connection between the lower end of said support segment and an upwardly projecting portion of said stake, said support segment being an elongated tubular member, said jointed connection attaching in one part to the lower end of said member and in other part to said stake and means interconnecting said parts providing for relatively tilting movement of said tubular member and for fixing said member in selected attitudes relative to said stake, said one part of said jointed connection comprising disc means fixed to said tUbular member and said other part of said connection comprising a collar on said stake with said means interconnecting said parts comprising bolt means extending from said disc means to said collar, said collar having aperture means accommodating said bolt means and oversize relative thereto, and said bolt means comprising a plurality of bolts disposing in a substantially surrounding relation to said stake, said bolts being elongated substantially uniformly to engage said collar in varying tilted attitudes of said tubular member, the aperture means in said collar comprising a plurality of oval-shaped apertures facilitating relative angular displacement of said disc means and said collar in the presence of said interconnecting bolts.
 3. An articulated post means for mounting a rural mail box or like apparatus, including an anchor segment adapted to be driven or otherwise mounted in the ground to varying depth and at various angles, a support segment terminating at an upper end in a support means to mount a mail box or the like, means for mounting said support segment to said anchor segment with freedom of relative motion enabling said support means to position at a proper height above ground level and parallel to ground level irrespective of the installed angle of said anchor segment, said anchor segment being a strong and relatively rigid stake adapted to penetrate the ground for a substantial part of its length to present a relatively low profile above ground to potentially colliding vehicles, said support segment disposing vertically above ground level and being constructed of a relatively light weight material sufficiently rigid for its intended purpose but relatively easily collapsible if struck by a moving vehicle, said mounting means constituting a jointed connection between the lower end of said support segment and an upwardly projecting portion of said stake, said support segment being an elongated tubular member, said jointed connection attaching in one part to the lower end of said member and in other part to said stake and means interconnecting said parts providing for relatively tilting movement of said tubular member and for fixing said member in selected attitudes relative to said stake, said one part of said jointed connection comprising disc means fixed to said tubular member and said other part of said connection comprising a collar on said stake with said means interconnecting said parts comprising bolt means extending from said disc means to said collar, said collar having aperture means accommodating said bolt means and oversize relative thereto and said tubular member being formed with an internal bead near its lower end, said disc means comprising a pair of discs seating to opposite ends of said bead, said bolt means passing through said discs and carrying nut means to clamp said discs to said bead, said bolt means extending through and beyond said nut means to said collar, said discs and bolt means forming an assembly movable in unison with said tubular member, the oversize aperture means in said collar accommodating relative tilting movement of said assembly.
 4. An articulated post means according to claim 3, characterized by nut means on the ends of said bolt means loosened to allow tilting movement of said tubular member and tightened to fix said tubular member in a selected position of adjustment.
 5. Articulated post means according to claim 3, characterized by a second internal bead near the upper end of said tubular member, said tubular member being reversible for alternative use of the beads therein for mounting of said assembly thereto.
 6. Articulated post means according to claim 5, wherein said support means comprises a plate disposing over an uppermost end of said tubular member in a plane substantially perpendicular thereto, characterized by means reacting upon the internal bead in the uppermost end of said tubular member to draw said support means to a seat on said tubular member. 